Fellside is the most historically interesting and overlooked parts of the town of Kendal, primarily because from the C18th until the middle of the C20th, it was one of the poorest and most deprived areas of the town.

Depending on factors such as climate, trade and economic downturn, its residents survived on the very edge of existence and starvation and destitution were not uncommon.

While conducting a town walk recently I mentioned the number of ale, or "Tom & Jerry", shops that once existed in a very small area of Fellside.

Not surprisingly few of the people on the walk knew what I was talking about, and immediately made reference to the well-known Hanna Barbera cartoons which we all enjoyed as children. In fact, they were not entirely wrong.

The term to tom and jerry means to indulge in riotous behaviour.

In 1821 Pierce Egan wrote a monthly journal, which circulated in London entitled " The day and night scenes of Jerry Hawthorn esq, and his friend Corinthian Tom".

Tales of rakish libertinism were not invented by the tabloids!

In 1830 Parliament passed a Beer Act, whereby just about anyone could obtain a license for two guineas. The beer houses which developed as a result of this act became known as Tom & Jerry Houses.

Fellside did indeed have several - and the odd brothel to boot!

In 1835 The Westmorland Gazette reported that "Wm Hodgson of the King William IV and Robert Fenton of the Hyena- both tom and jerry shops - were fined 40/- each plus costs for allowing the sale of ale and porter on the sabbath".

The Hyena survived until the 1960s as a demure beer house. Riotous behaviour - and the brothel - had long gone.